How many cities have a homemade paddlewheeler chugging around?

Editor's Note: Michael Fitzgerald's column runs on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays in The Record. Starting today, a new featured called "Fitz's Stockton" will be published on Monday. Each week he will take a look at something unique about the city.

Editor's Note: Michael Fitzgerald's column runs on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays in The Record. Starting today, a new featured called "Fitz's Stockton" will be published on Monday. Each week he will take a look at something unique about the city.

Heads turned. People celebrating a birthday at Weber Point stopped and flocked to water's edge. Across the park, people hurried to see the approaching riverboat.

Bob Wright recently sailed the Kennon Doyle, his 60-foot sidewheeler, right up to the channel head in downtown Stockton. It was perhaps the first time in half a century a real paddlewheeler graced the channel.

Onlookers were wowed.

"It came out of nowhere," said Deborah Davis. "We thought, 'What a cool boat!' "

Adults waved. Excited kids called for Wright to blow the horn.

"Wow, that is amazing!" said Adrian Adryanna.

"I spent over a third of my life building that boat," said Wright proudly of his beautiful creation. He claims to be one of only 12 people in America to build their own sidewheeler.